You've had quite an unconventional path into retail media — you came in from the vendor side, not from ad tech or media agencies. Can you walk us through that journey and what ultimately led you to building Topsort? A lot of retailers are now a few years into their first retail media network and starting to ask hard questions about whether the technology they built on is actually going to take them where they need to go. What are you seeing out there, and what does it really cost a retailer to get that foundation wrong?One thing that stands out about Topsort is the emphasis on experimentation — real A/B testing — at the infrastructure level. Why does that matter so much, and when you add AI-driven optimization into the mix, what do you think a retail media network starts to look like that's genuinely different from what most people are running today?From the brand side, there's a lot of budget flowing into retail media right now but also a lot of frustration. What are CPG brands asking for that most networks still can't deliver — and how should brand leaders be thinking about holding their retail partners accountable in a way that's different from how they evaluated trade spend?With Amazon, Walmart, and Instacart continuing to mature as networks, there's a real question about whether mid-market and regional retailers can stay competitive for brand dollars. What's your honest view on where this market goes — and where do you think independent RMNs actually have a structural advantage?

Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of personal branding and how professionals can stand out in today’s noisy digital world?What’s one message or takeaway you’d love every listener to walk away with after this conversation?You’ve talked about becoming your industry’s go-to expert—what were the key steps in your own journey that helped you earn credibility and authority?Many professionals struggle to clarify and monetize their message. What advice do you have for turning expertise into a clear personal brand that attracts dream clients?You’ve seen experts across industries—health, food, fitness—turn niche knowledge into massive followings and businesses. What are the patterns you’ve noticed that others can model to build a personal brand that grows consistently over time?

 Tell us about your journey—from finance and strategic planning at AXA to leading data strategy for some of the world’s most iconic beauty and luxury brands. What drew you into this world, and how has your background shaped your approach?You work at the intersection of data and creativity—especially in industries that have traditionally been emotionally driven. How do you balance the power of analytics with the intuition that drives beauty and luxury?You’ve worked with some of the biggest names—Chanel, Dior, L’Oréal, and more. Can you share an example where data-driven insights led to a surprising or game-changing commercial outcome for a client?What are some of the biggest opportunities or shifts you’re seeing in the beauty and luxury industry over the next few years? Where should brands be leaning in—or rethinking old habits?What are you most excited about for the future of beauty, luxury, and data? Whether it’s technology, consumer behavior, or new ways of working—what’s lighting you up right now?  

You’ve worked across B2C and B2B, brand and performance, and multiple global markets. Looking back, what moments or decisions most shaped the marketer you are today?You were running a €100m eCommerce operation as early as 2006, well before most brands truly understood digital. What did getting “early reps” in eCommerce teach you that still gives you an edge today?Retail media has become one of the fastest-growing forces in marketing, and you’ve been writing and speaking about it for years. What do you think most brands are still getting wrong about retail media right now?You’ve worked across continents cultures and channels. What’s the biggest marketing myth that sounds smart in boardrooms but completely falls apart in the real world?Looking ahead, what excites you most about the next phase of marketing and where do you believe ambitious marketers should be investing their time and skills over the next few years?

You’ve spent 25 years leading major omnichannel businesses across Amazon, Walmart, Target, and other national retailers. How did that experience shape your approach to sales and business development?What inspired you to pivot from leading large retail businesses to tackling the growing returns crisis at REBEL?How do you help brands turn the challenge of returns and overstock into recovered revenue and reduced waste?Can you share an example of how partnering with REBEL has created both financial and environmental value for a brand?Looking ahead what trends or changes in the retail ecosystem excite you most, and how do you see returns and sustainability evolving over the next few years?

Simon, looking back at your career, what were the defining moments that shaped you into the leader you are today, especially in tech-driven businesses?You’ve led multiple companies through both organic growth and acquisitions. How did those experiences influence your approach when you took on the CEO role at Syndigo?Syndigo is at the forefront of AI-powered Product Experience Management. What are some initiatives or transformations you’ve led there that you’re most proud of?How do you see Syndigo’s role in shaping the future of commerce, and what excites you most about the potential of AI and data in driving better product experiences?For entrepreneurs and leaders looking to innovate in technology and commerce, what lessons from your journey—both prior to and during your time at Syndigo, would you say are most important?

Can you remind everyone about Kroger Precision Marketing?Tell us about your announcement with Google this week.Incomplete measurement is a top pain point for many brands. With this new reporting, what specific “aha” moments can brands expect to see that they couldn’t see before?How do brands activate?Why is this kind of collaboration between Google and retailers important to brands?How does this change how brands should think about the role of Kroger or Google in their overall media strategy, and how does this help brands reach shoppers at every step of their journey?  

How does agentic commerce change the balance of power between AI platforms and retailers, and why do you believe retailers will remain at the center of the transaction even as conversational interfaces grow?As shopping shifts from keywords to conversations, how should brands rethink discoverability when queries become long, contextual, and highly personalized rather than short search terms?Retail media has historically been driven by keyword bidding and sponsored products. What has to fundamentally change in measurement, optimization, and ad formats to make monetization work naturally inside conversational shopping experiences?You’ve talked about harmonizing merchandising, media, and shopper experience rather than managing ad revenue in a silo. What does that look like in practice, and how can retailers balance relevance, margin, availability, and ad yield in an AI-driven ranking environment?There’s a fear that agentic commerce will cannibalize existing channels. Why do you believe it will drive incremental growth instead, and what should brands and retailers be doing now to ensure they capture that upside? 

You’ve built an impressive career leading digital growth across startups and large-scale global brands. Can you take us back to the early days. What first drew you to eCommerce and the intersection of technology and commerce?You’ve delivered results across both early-stage startups and billion-dollar businesses. What are you most excited about in Careismatic’s digital journey right now, and how are you defining sustainable growth in this next chapter?With your background at the intersection of technology and commerce, how do you balance data-driven decision-making with creative intuition when building or scaling digital products and marketing strategies?You’ve worked across apparel, healthcare, consumer electronics, and CPG. All with different consumer expectations. What lessons or patterns have you found to be universal when it comes to driving meaningful eCommerce growth?As a results-driven digital operator and leader, what do you want to leave our audience with whether it’s a leadership lesson, a mindset for growth, or a piece of advice for those navigating the evolving digital landscape?

You’ve built and scaled one of the top five retail media networks globally—what’s one emerging opportunity in media or retail that you believe is currently undervalued or under-recognized? From analog to digital, you’ve led transformative change. What were the pivotal moments—or decisions—that unlocked the greatest growth in your journey at Best Buy and beyond?You’re known for synthesizing complexity into catalytic opportunities. Can you walk us through a moment where your framing of the future changed the trajectory of a business—or even an industry?You talk about building cultures of regenerating energy. What are some of the specific ways you keep your teams inspired, especially in high-stakes or fast-paced environments like retail media?Looking ahead, what are you most excited about for the future of commerce-meets-media—and where do you see yourself creating the most impact next?